Proposed Golf Resort near Giant's Causeway Facing Difficulties


According to a report by the BBC, plans for a large-scale golf resort next to Northern Ireland's famed Giant's Causeway are on the rocks. Even though it's been given the go-ahead by government officials the project in County Antrim is quite controversial and has faced strong opposition.

The original £100-million, 350-acre proposal - to be called Bushmills Dunes - involves an 18-hole course, 70 golf lodges and a five-star hotel. One of its most recent setbacks was the death of its primary financial backer, Dr. Alistair Hanna, who passed away in July.

In addition to undergoing several legal challenges, including a failed lawsuit brought by the National Trust, which owns the Giant's Causeway, the backers - led by Hanna - have had a difficult time rounding up financing.

The property is now being sold to one of Northern Ireland's most successful businessmen, Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, the founder and managing director of Randox Laboratories, based in Crumlin, County Antrim.

Fitzgerald is also negotiating to buy the neighboring Dundarave estate, which has an asking price of £5 million. That site involves a stately home and 550 acres. It is being sold by Sir Malcolm Macnaghten, who also owns the land earmarked for the golf course, all of which will be included the deal with Fitzgerald.

A spokesman for Randox was cagy with BBC reporter Kevin Magee. "We are unable to provide any further detail, at this time."

Similarly, a spokesperson for the group behind the golf course at Bushmills Dunes Golf Club told Magee, "For a number of reasons, I simply cannot comment at this time."

Mark Parsinen, the architect who developed and designed the heralded Castle Stewart course in Scotland and co-designed Kingsbarns with fellow American Kyle Phillips, will be the designer of the new Bushmills Dunes. For more about the proposed golf course, visit http://www.bushmillsdunesgolfclub.com.

The course and resort received approval in February 2013, but no work has begun. "Since then it has gone very, very quiet. The land has had nothing on it," Bushmills estate agent Terry Dobbin told Magee.

"We had hoped to see, maybe some access roads or sightlines, but unfortunately there has been nothing. The feeling around the town is that it is not going to go ahead, which is a big disappointment."

Project opponents seem to be breathing a sigh of relief that the project possibly won't be coming to fruition. "While I support the redevelopment of the north coast in principle, it must be done in a considered way that protects the environment," Anna Lo of the Alliance Party told Magee.

Added James Orr of Friends of the Earth, "If the reports are true we will be greatly relieved for the sake the economy, the unique wilderness around the Giant's Causeway and for future generations."

For Magee’s complete story, visit http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-30199057.